The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1887-10-06

leaving DrcakI:tst ulSneS III the pan uil-
washed. she had attempted to get him
to sleep. Three times had she laid him
softly ON his pillow when eyes and
mouth sprungopen simultaneously. and
the little rebel demanded a renewal OF
singing and rocking. When at last he
was compelled TO yield to TIE influence
of the drowsy god, Jennie found that
hurry as much as she might il would be
out Of her power to put every thing to
rights and have dinner ready by twelve
o'clock as John always wanted it. and
the young wife had since learned that Il
hungry man is never patient one.
But tired and worn out as she was,
there was the work to do, and no one
else to do it, so she conquered the de-
sire to sit down and have a good cry,
and instead, picked up John paper from
the floor and folded it to put away SO
he could have it at noon if he wished.
The head lines Of the first column at
tracted her attention, and stopping for
q moment, she read: ..Another Strike.
Hundreds Of Men Leaving Work. De
handing Shorter Hours" 1t was evil
dent that some new thought had been
born in the few moments that Jennie
gave to the reading of that column, for
there was light in her eyes and firm
ness about her mouth that was not us
uallly seen there, and she went about
her work. ..Why not?" she asked her
self. IF men be worn out with SO much
labor and demand relief. why not Il
woman? am sure, ii only had to
work eight hours day, night stand
it, but eighteen would come nearer es-
pressing it, and if John won't see is OF
himself there the lips quivered littlc).
why | will have to open his eyes for
him."
1t was not without considerable in
ward quaking that Jennie resolved to
carry out her plans Immediately. IN
never have the courage if put it off till
tomorrow" she wisely concluded, land
if as John said yesterday itpays to take
good care of cattle it is time he learned
that it pays to take good care Of a wife. :"
When John and the hired man came in
to dinner they were very much
dSUOHlsucu ~ iiuu tic HiIslIess Vi lht
house sitting very quietly by baby's side
reading the paper and no sign of dinner
on the table, unless some cold bread
and meat left from the day before was
to constitute it.
..What in the thunder is the matter.
Jennie?' exclaimed John. "Where's
dinnerP''
..On the table, remarked Jennie.
placidly, though her hands were
clinched very tight on the rounds Of her
chair BY way Of keeping up her coura !.
WHAT said John in amazeme
do you mean to say that's all the din
ner a hungry man is to get!'
THAT is just what Imean, John, and
if | had been as wise as ought to have
been would have meant it long ago. |
am not able to do all the work l have
been doing, although you have failed to
see it. 1t is wearing me out, body and
mind. Instead of a bright, cheerful
woman, such as l was two years ago, |
look withered. worn and fully ten years
older. II the present state of affairs con-
tinue much longer will be in my grave
and my baby; eft for some other woman
to mistreat. The fact is. l have fol-
lowed the fashion and struck. l want
help. know YOU can afford to hire a
girl, and must have one"
To tell the truth. Jennie was little
surprised at herself for coming ont SO
strong, but it seemed tat all the accu-
INFLATED grievances of the past two
years rose up and demanded voice.
You knew you were marrying poor
man and would have to work, retort-
ed John, rather bitterly.
..Yes, and am willing to work, said
Jennie, quickly: ..but there must be
some limit. And as to your being poor,
John. know you are not rich, bu,
think If it wouldn't be better to buy less
land and spend some of that money in
making life easier for your wife. As it
is. | never have moments rest. /
rarely see the inside Of a book or paper,
and as for the accomplishments spent
SO much time on when was girl,
they are almost entirely forgotten. /
don't want baby to grow up and be
ashamed of his mother. am ashamed
of myself n W. l don't think am I'M
reasonable in saying must have help.
You say it pays to take good care Of
your cattle. Am l less to you than
your cattle?''
Without deigning to notice the tremu-
lous tone of Jennie's appeal, John
turned on his heel, and slamming the
door after him went back to the field
without his dinner. The hired man.
however, did full justice to the cold
bred and meat, wisely thinking it
ic,.er than no dinner at all. John S
anger was at the boiling point for
several hours. Jennie's yielding dis
position had fostered his selfshness and
love of authority, and was ILL prepared he
to acknowledge that he had given his
wife any cause for her complaint.
But in spite of himself her words,
"You say it pays to take care of your
cattle. Am less to you than your
cattle" KEEP. ringing in his ears. Jennie
was unreasonable, he was sure of that
in wanting him to pay out SO or $l2 a
month extra for hire, when she knew
how he wanted 10 buy that tract of land
to the right of his farm, and how he
had almost settled the trade for it.
And if he did buy it every dollar would
be needed to meet the payment Yes.
Jennie was unreasonable.
But though John repeated this over
and over to himself some way he could
not get rid Of the uneasy feeling that.
had succeeded his first Indignation
Suppose Jennie was right. Suppose
the work was too much for her and she
could not stand it. Quick as lightning
there flashed before him what life would
he without his wife, and what little
comfort land and cattle would be to
him if she were taken away.
.God forgive me-" he exclaimed.
1--we been selfish, thoughtless, brute,
but to-day has opened my eyes. But
how did the little woman summon up
enough courage to open them for me. "